Steek Boa


This past week at my knitting group, one of the members was wearing the most unusual scarf. At first it looks as if it would be complicated, but it is quite easy and quick to knit. I would say that it was one of the most satisfying projects I have done in a while. I went through my stash and found some things that had been bought for other projects that just never happened. I happen to love anything pink or purple, so matching was no problem. The pattern comes from Mary Lous blog. I cast on Friday night, worked for a few hours on Saturday, and did the fringe this morning (Sunday). Here is the finished product.



















I ended up using the following yarns. The thickest one is from Handpaintedyarn.com, it is a kettle dyed handspun. Next was Louisa Harding Kimono Angora, Louisa Harding Kimono Ribbon (I needed a second one of those), 2 balls Wendy Frizzante (this one ran out first), 2 skeins of Rowan lightweight DK which I have had in my stash forever. I stopped when the Rowan ran out, about 53 inches which is definatly long enough for me.





















Here is a close up of the back. I did a slip stitch with a crochet hook to hold the stitches in place as was suggested. I started out doing back stitch, but it was taking too long, I am impatient, and this looks much neater.






Note: The color is truest in the close-up photos at the bottom of the post.

Works in Progress


OK, I know its been a while since my last post, so I've gone a bit crazy and taken alot of photos of some works in progress. First of all, I took a few photos at my knitting group, The Southwest Knitting and Crochet group that meets in Putney at the Natural Cafe every other Wednesday. This one came out quite good, but the others weren't as flattering. Didn't want anyone to get angry with me.


I finally finished the socks. Now I am addicted. I have read for a long time that socks can be that way. I can't figure out what it is. I have never really liked working with dpns, but once that sock gets going, it is really fun to see it work up, and there is something fun about doing the heel flap, turning the heel and picking up the stitches. I really enjoyed making these, though they turned out a bit big. They are more of house socks for me rather than ones that I can wear with shoes.


























Next are my works in progress. First is a project that I started about a year ago. At first it was full steam ahead, but it got a bit boring, and I put it aside. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. I have to say that there is no way this is a last minute gift unless you plan on working 24 hours a day for weeks. Now that the weather is cold, it is nice to work on as it is very soft and warm. I am about half way through.






















I am also working on a Clapotis, which will be beautiful when finished, but is also getting quite boring. I will finish this in the next week though, I can't wait to wear it. I have photographed it with my new beautiful Jordana Paige messenger bag. My favorite feature is the little loop that you put your yarn through so feeds to you. I never have a ball of yarn rolling around on the floor anymore. It is like my briefcase, and I keep all of my essentials in it. My only complaint is that the sections to keep straight needles are not really long enough, so the needles stick out of the top of the bag. Doesn't much matter to me since I have been using mostly circulars lately.








Yesterday at our knitting group, Jill wore this really unusual scarf which is the famous Steek Boa. I am now inspired to make one. I was all ready to go out and buy something to make it with when my knitting partner in crime, Nathalie told me to look through my stash. Its funny how I never really think to use anything in there, but I came up with a short list pictured here. I think I will do it over the weekend as a break from Clapotis.




The yarns are as follows. On the outside is a kettle dyed wool from www.handpaintedyarn.com, then from left, 2 balls of Koigu, 2 balls of Louisa Harding, one ribbon and one angora, then Sirdar Fizz on top and Erdal Fur on the bottom. Not sure if the fur and Fizz might be too much together, might have to pick one or the other.

Happy New Year

Its good to be back home after travelling back to the States to visit family. At the last meeting of my knitting group, I was inspired by Jill to start knitting socks. My first try was not bad, but didn't finish the pair. This one came out great. Its from the latest Interweave knits magazine. I started the other one today. Now I am totally hooked on socks, they say it can be addictive. Its true!























I also tried my hand at dying with Kool Aide. It came out nice, but the color selection is not great. Going to pick up some Dylon tomorrow at John Lewis and try that instead.

More Hats

I had made this hat once before for a friend. The yarn is Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK. It is so soft and wonderful to crochet with. I just had to have one for myself! The model is my 8 year old daughter, it actually fits her as well, though a bit loose. The pattern is from Vogue Knitting Winter 2004. The color is truer in the photo on the left.

Gifts and accessories

Been working on some smaller projects these days. Since the weather here in London has been pretty cold I decided I needed a new hat. I've always wanted to work with yarns from Noro. I found this pattern in Modular Knits by Iris Schreier. It was my first project using the multidirectional techniques described in the book. I have to say that at first it a little confusing, and if anything disturbed me (like the telephone), I was totally lost. I really like how it turned out, though it did take me 1.5 balls of Silk Garden even though the book said 1 ball. I had a bit of trouble getting the gauge as well, so it might be a bit bigger than it should have been. I like it though, since I prefer my hats a bit looser. In the end, I was not in love with the Noro. It kept getting twisted up and the colors are a bit of a surprise. There were all of these beautiful purples and plums and suddenly there was deep blue and a very strange yellow.




















This next one is from the Loop-d-Loop book by Teva Durham. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino bulky. It was so nice to work with, and really soft to wear. This is going to be a gift, but I might have to make another one for myself!


















This last one is one of my favorite things to give as little gifts. I used a bit of another ball of Silk Garden that I completely hated, the colors were so strange. I chose it because on the outside it was pink, purple and blue, but on the inside were all beige and ugly green colors. I used this pink to crochet a rosette. It looks great pinned onto a sweater or coat. I think it took about 20 minutes to make.

Watercolor Curly Whirly

After just finishing a big project. I have decided that the next few will be one or two ball projects. I need some instant gratification. I had ordered a ball of this Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb to see what the color would look like as it was the one Vogue Knitting had used for the Twisted Float Shrug. It was beautiful in the hank, but is a bit too much like the rainbow for me. My 8 year old daughter is in love with it, so I told her that she could wear it. I should have done a gauge, but just went blindly into it, and followed the pattern from Get Knitted. It is a bit long for me. I feel like the pattern that they sent was a bit misleading. Its hard to see how many times the girl in the photo has it wrapped around her neck. I should know better. Anyway, it looks good on, and is very soft. Now I am on to a hat in Noro Silk Garden using a pattern from Modular Knits. I've been wanting to try the techniques in that book for a while. Hope to be done soon.

Twisted Float Shrug

OK, finally finished the Twisted Float Shrug. I am really pleased with the way it came out. The only thing it needs is something to hold it closed. Thinking of either a hook sewn on, or crocheting a flower corsage. This shrug is meant to be able to be worn two ways, either with the long end to the bottom, or with the short end down which results in a larger collar. Will add some photos of the other next time.



































Its hard to see the stitch pattern from this distance, so here are some close ups. I used ArtYarns Supermerino for the main, and Silk Fur for the border.

Here are two of my recently finished crochet projects. The top one is a capelet made of Rowan Wool cotton. I based it on a shawl from one of the summer Rowan Classic books. I thought that the shawl would be too much like a blanket, and capelets seemed more stylish to me, so here is my version.





















The next one is the scarf from the front cover of Hip to Crochet. The pattern called for mohair, but I used Koigu KPPM, it was great to crochet with. I hated changing colors all the time, but I think it was worth it in the end. Can't wait for the cooler weather to wear this one.

Well here it is, my first blog. I actually have been thinking of doing one for a while, and got more motivated once I saw so many great ones out there.

I have finally given in to the Curly Whirly scarf craze. I decided to make one for my daughter, which is good since it came out quite short. Most of the patterns said to cast on 60 stitches, I started with 80. Next time I would cast on quite a bit more. Anyway, she loves it, though wouldn't let me take a photo of her in it.

I used the new Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran for the first bit, then Wendy Frizzante for the last 4 rows. It adds nice texture to the scarf. Here is the close up.



Another great project that was quick, and made a great birthday gift for a friend is this flower from the new Louisa Harding accessories collection book. I didn't use her yarns though. I mixed some Koigu KPPM and a Yaeger merino from my stash, then used Lion Brand Incredible on the last row. I think it came out great. I have to make another one for myself.



Now its back to work on my Twisted Float Shrug from the Fall Vogue Knitting. I have 1.5 sleeves to go then finished!